Phonograph-reproducer.



H. WOLKE.

PHONOGRAPH REPRODUCER.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 29, 1908.

Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFF oE.

HERMAN WOLKE, OF ORANGE. NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THOMAS A. EDISON, INCORPORATED, OF WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, A CORP'O TION OF NEW JERSEY.

PHONOGRAPH-REPRODUCER,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, 1911..

Application filed December as, 1908. Seria1No. 49,ss2.

To all whom it may concern:

7 Be it known that I, HERMAN VVOLKE, a citizen of the United States, and-a resident of Orange, Essex county, State of New J ersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Phonogra'pbReproducers, of which the following is a clear, full, and concise description.

My invention relates to phonograph reproducers, and has for its object the provision of an improved mounting for the stylus lever in order that the same may have great freedom of movement in tracking the grooves of the sound record, and in order that the defects due to inertia of the moving.

parts may be obviated.

More particularly, the object of my invention is to provide a mounting for the stylus, which shall permit the latter to be used in connection with records having two hundred threads to the inch, and track the same faithfully and without injury to the record or the stylus.

\Vhile the stylus mounted in the manner of my invention is equally well adapted for use in connection with records having one hundred or some other number of threads per inch, the requirement of great facility of movement of the stylus lever both in a direction parallel to and transverse to the record groove, is particularly important in the case of the two hundred thread record or other record having a great number of threads per inch, owing to the thin Walls between the record grooves, which might be broken down or jumped across by a stylus, the parts moving with which have considerable inertia, and owing to the character of the record grooves generally. Accordingly, a stylus mountingof the least possible inertia is very desirable. This is provided for in my invention by providing a universal pivotal connection between the stylus lever and the member supporting the pivot, which member is preferably the usual floating weight well known in the art.

In order to eliminate inertia and friction to the least possible degree, my invention comprises a mounting for the stylus lever inwhich point friction is substantially substituted for the line friction usual in devices of this character. Furthermore, a de- -vice is provided which renders it unnecessaryto move any parts other than the stylus lever itself, when said lever is oscillated laterally to the recordrgroove in tracking the same Furthermore, means are provided by my nvention for locating the stylus centrally of the record groove after any deviation. from this central position invthe tracking of the groove.

.Other objects of my invention are the provision of improved details of construction and combination of parts.

In order that my invention may be more clearly understood, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred form thereof, in which--- Figure 1 is a central vertical section through a reproducer equipped with my invent-ion. Fig. 2 is a bottom view thereof, and Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view through the floating weight and the stylus lever on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

The sound box 1 is formed by the member 2, which has formed integrally therewith the neck 3, to which the phonograph horn may be connected; The diaphragm 4 is \clamped in position between gaskets 5' and 6, which are clamped in position between the body 2 of the reproducer and the ring 7, which bears screw threads on the periphery thereof, which are adapted to engage with screw threads on the interior of cylindrical vertical flange 8 of the phonograph body 2. The floating weight 9 is pivotally connected by a pin or screw 10 to a member 11, which is pivotally mounted by means of the screw or short stud 12, which is secured in the flange 8 of member 2 of the reproducer, thus producing a floating weight which is free to oscillate to a certain extent in a direction crossing the plane of the diaphragm, and also, in a plane substantially parallel to that of the diaphragm in a manner well known in the art. The pin 13 ex tending from the periphery of the floating weight at a point diametrically opposed to the pivot of the said weight, and engaging vwithin the stirrup 14, which extends from the adjacent point of the flange 8 of the body of the reproducer, limits the movements of the floating weight in the various directions possible to it, in a mannerwell known in the art.

The stylus lever 15 carries the stylus 16, and is provided toward the end of the lever opposite to that which carries the stylus, with a hole or passage 17, extending laterally therethrough, and with which the link 18, which is fastened to the center of" the diaphragm in the usual manner, engages. The stylus lever 15 is provided on the upper surface thereof at a point somewhat to the right of the middle .of the said lever, as shown in Fig. 1, with a conical recess 19. This inverted cone-shaped cavity or cup 19 is adapted .to engage with the point of the pivot pin '20, which is fastened Y on the recordin engagement with the point of pivot pin 20. Since, preferably, the arm of the lever from the pivotal point to the point of connection to the link 18 is considerably greater than the arm of the lever extending from the said pivot to the stylus 16, the up and down movement communicated to the lever by the engagement of the stylus 16 with the record groove, will be communicated to the diaphragm 4 with amplitude.

Since it is necessary to support the end of the stylus lever on the end of the lever opposite that to which the link 18 is connected, and since the needle 20 bearing on the upper surface of the stylus lever furnishes no such support, a means of support for the lever to hold the same approximately in correct position when the stylus is not in contact with the phonograph record, is provided, consisting of a link or Wire 21, attached to stylus lever 15 and passing upward through passageway 22 in the floating weight 9. Link 21 is formed at the upper end thereof with a hook 23 to which are attached the wire spring 24 secured to the floating weight as by screw 25, and the spiral spring 26 attached to the floating weight 9 as by pin 27. The springs 24 and 26 are arranged on opposite sides of the wire 21. The spring 24 holds the wire 21 in a definite position relatively to the floating weight above it, the weight of lever 15 subjecting spring 24 toflexure, and the move'- ment of lever 15 in a plane at right angles to pivot 20 subjecting spring 24 to flexure in a plane parallel to said movement of the stylus lever. Spiral spring 26 co-acts with said spring 24 in holding the connection 21 in its central position, inwhich position the spring 26 is free from both tension and compression. Movement of the lever 15 to either side of its normal axial position extends spring 26. Thus, both springs co-act with gentle force to maintain the stylus lever in a central position relative to the record groove, although allowing the lever to yield laterally in tracking the record groove. The function performed by the two springs just described could be performed by a single spring, but I prefer the arrangement just described, as it is one which permits greater rapidity and certainty of action.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the precise device or construction shown, but may be varied within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. In a phonograph reproducer, the combination with the diaphragm, and the floating weight, of a stylus lever, a stylus borne thereby and a connection between the said lever and the said diaphragm, and a pivot for said lever anchored in said weightand having a pin and socket connection with said lever, substantially as described.

2. In a phonograph reproducer, the combination with the diaphragm, and the floating weight, of a stylus lever, a stylus borne thereby and a connection between the said lever and the said diaphragm, and a pivot for said lever anchored in said weight and having a non-positive connection with said lever, substantially as described.

3. In a phonograph reproducer, the combination with the diaphragm, and the floating weight, of a stylus lever, a stylus borne thereby and a connection between the said lever and thesaid diaphragm, and a pivot for said lever anchored in said weight and having a non-positive connection with said lever, around which said lever is free to oscillate in planes at right angles to each other, substantially as described.

4:. In a phonograph reproducer, the combination with the diaphragm, and the float ing Weight, of a stylus lever, a stylus borne thereby and a connection between the-said lever and the said diaphragm, and a pivot for said lever anchored in said weight, and having a substantially single point connection with said lever, substantially as described.

5. In a phonograph reproducer, the combination with the diaphragm, of a stylus lever mounted entirely below the same and connected at one end with the diaphragm; a stylus borne by the other end of said lever, a member carrying the pivotfor said lever, and said pivot, consisting of a pin having its lower extremity bearing against the upper surface of said lever between said diaphragm connection and said stylus, said lever being rotatable about the'center line of 6. In a phonograph reproducer, the com-- bination with the diaphragm, of a-stylus lever mounted entirely below the same and connected at one end with the diaphragm, a stylus borne by the other end of said lever, a member carrying the pivot for said lever, and said pivot, consisting of a pin having its lower extremity bearing against the bottom of a depression in the upper surface of said lever, the lower extremity ofsaid pin fitting closely within the bottom of said depression, said lever being rotatable about the center line of said pivot as an axis, substantially as described.

7. In a phonograph reproducer, the combination with the diaphragm, of a stylus lever mounted entirely below the same and connected at one end with the diaphragm, a stylus borne by the other end of said lever, a member carrying the pivot for said lever, and said pivot, anchored in said member and having a non-positive connection with said lever, said lever being rotatable about the center line of said pivot as an axis, substantially as described,

8. In a phonograph reproducer, the com bination with the diaphragnnof a stylus lever substantially parallel thereto and below the same, a link connecting said lever with the diaphragm, and a stylus borne by said lever, a member carrying the pivot for said lever, and said pivot, consisting of a pin having a point bearing against the bottom of a cone-shaped depression in the upper surface of said lever, said lever-being rotatable about the center line of said pivot as an axis, and means for centering said lever, substantially as described.

9. In a phonograph reproducer, the com bination with the diaphragm, of'a stylus lever, a link pivoted to said lever and connecting the same with the diaphragm, a stylus borne by said lever, a member carrying the pivot for said lever, and said pivot, consisting of a pin having a point bearing against the bottom of a cone-shaped depres-' sion in .a surface. of said lever, said lever being free to oscillate around said point universally, substantially as described.

10. In'a phonograph reproducer, the combination with the diaphragm, of a stylus lever mounted below the same, a link pivoted to one end of said lever and connecting the same with the diaphragm, a stylus borne by said lever, a member carrying the pivot tor said lever, and said pivot, consisting of a pin havmg 1ts lower extremity bearlng against a point on the upper surface of saidv lever, and means for supporting said lever on the side of said pivot opposite to said link when the stylus is not in contact with the record, substantially as described.

11. In a phonograph reproducer, the combination with the diaphragm, of a stylus lever mounted below the same, a link pivoted to one e'ndof said lever andconnecting the same with the diaphragm and a stylus borne by said lever, a member carrying the pivot for said lever, and said pivot, consisting of 12. In a phonograph reproducer, the combination with the diaphragm, of a stylus lever connected with the diaphragm and a stylus borne thereby, a member carrying the pivot for said lever, and said pivot, consist ing of a pin having its lower extremity bearing at a point on the upper surface of said lever, said lever being rotatable about the center line of said ivot as an axis, means for supporting said lever when the stylus is not in contact with the record, and spring means for centering said lever,-substantially as described.

13. In a phonograph reproducer, the combination with the diaphragm, of a stylus lever connected with the diaphragm and a stylus carried thereby, a member carrying the pivot for said lever, and said pivot, about which said lever-is arranged to have universal motion, and means for supporting said lever, substantially as described.

14. In a phonograph reproducer, the combination with the diaphragm, of a stylus lever connected with the diaphragm and a stylus carried thereby, a Iiiember carrying a member with which said lever has pivotal connection when said stylus is in contact with the record, but which does not support said lever, said lever being rotatable about the center line of said last named member as an axis, substantially as described.

15. In a phonograph reproducer, the combination with the diaphragm, of a stylus lever connected with the diaphragm and a stylus carried thereby, a member, a second member carried thereby and having pivotal connection with said lever when said stylus is in contact with the record, but which does not support said lever, said lever being rotatable about the center line of said last named member as an axis, and means for supporting said lever when said stylus is not in contact with the record, substantially as described. V

16. In a phonograph reproducer, the combination with the diaphragm, of a stylus lever connected with the diaphragm and a stylus carried thereby, a pivot for said lever about which said lever is arranged to have universal motion, and a member in which .said pivot is supported, said lever having a movement independent of the said member when said lever oscillates transverse to the record groove, substantially as described.

mi ts 17. In a phonograph reproducer, the combination with the diaphragm, of a stylus lever connected with the diaphragm and a stylus carried thereby, a pivot for-said lever about which said'lever is arranged to have universal motion, and about which the lever can oscillate free from the inertia of any other moving parts, substantially as described.

18. In a phonograph reproducer, the:combination with the diaphragm, of a stylus lever connected with the diaphragm and a stylus carried thereby, a pivot for said lever about which said lever is arranged to have universal motion, and a member in which said pivot is supported, said lever having a movement independent of the said member when said lever oscillates transverse to the record groove, and the said member also mounted for a limited movement transverse to the said groove, substantially as de scribed.

HERMAN WOLKE. Witnesses DYER SMITH, -ANNA R. KLEHM. 

